Mayor of Armagh Freda Donnelly and Minister Danny Kennedy launched Armagh’s first ecar charging point.
Mayor Freda Donnelly said, “I am delighted to unveil Armagh’s first Ecar charging point along with Minister Danny Kennedy. I hope this charging point will encourage individuals and businesses to take advantage of the savings that can be made from taking the step from petrol or diesel to electric. Rapid charging points will charge a vehicle to 80% in only 25 minutes and while we appreciate it is a costly step for motorists to take, there is government grants and other financial incentives available to save on the price on a new electric or van. This initiative is a very positive way forward to making Armagh a greener and more vibrant place to live and visit”.
Danny Kennedy said: “The ecar Project in Northern Ireland is changing the way we think about transport and I congratulate Armagh District Council on being one of the first Councils in Northern Ireland to embrace the new technology. “The jointly led ecar Project in Northern Ireland, sees the Department for Regional Development and Department of the Environment work with Councils to move closer to delivering cleaner and more sustainable transport in Northern Ireland for everyone. “While most drivers will recharge their electric cars at home overnight, the growing number of public charge points offers ecar drivers the convenient facility to ‘top-up’ away from home, if necessary. “Whether we use the car for personal or commercial reasons, electric vehicles, with a typical range of around 100 miles on a full charge, now offer a tangible alternative to petrol or diesel fuelled vehicle.”
Over 40 public ‘opportunity’ charge-points are now available in cities across Northern Ireland including Armagh, Belfast, Londonderry, Newry, Enniskillen and Larne. Over the next year this number will increase to around 140. Special rapid chargers will also be introduced close to major roads that can charge a vehicle to 80% of its capacity in just 25 minutes. Charge Points in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland are fully compatible. There are charge point location maps and more general information at www.nidirect.gov.uk/ecar
Anyone, including business users, can take advantage of a Government grant that offers a saving of up to £5000 off the list price of a new electric car or up to £8000 off the list price of a new electric van.
The first 300 private or business users who buy an electric vehicle qualify for a £1,500 grant to install a charge point at their home or workplace.
Other financial incentives include exemption from fuel duty, vehicle excise duty, company car tax, van benefit charge and fuel benefit charge. Business users can also benefit from enhanced capital allowances.
